RUGBY PROSPECTS FOR APPROACHING SEASON

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6866, 22 March 1929, Page 8

RUGBY PROSPECTS FOR APPROACHING SEASON

DECIDEDLY GOOD. The annual report of the ManawatuHorowhenua Rugby Union, to be presented at the annual meeting in Palmerston North on March 27 by the president, Mr. W. C. Hannan, makes the following reference to the prospects for the coming season: — “The visit of a team from the Old Country and the visit of a New Zealand team to Australia will no doubt give Rugby a great boost in this Dominion; therefore the outlook for tne forthcoming season is decidedly good. The younger players in the senior ranks last- year should, with the experience they gained, show improved form. As regards representative matches this union is due to visit Hawke’s Bay, Wellington and Wairarapa and visits are due from Wairarapa, Wanganui, Taranaki, Otago, Canterbury, South Canterbury and Southland. Matches are also owing this union by King Country, Waikato and Auckland. In terms of the resolution passed at the last meeting of delegates to tho New Zealand Rugby union, this union, as one of the major unions, is under an obligation to play at 1-east two matches against minor unions.” Mr. J. A. Colquhoitn, president of tho Manawatu council, also makes reference to next season’s prospects in the course of his annual report. He says:—

“There is no doubt that a large amount of interest will be created by tho visit of a team from England and the visit of a New Zealand team to Australia, and this should add zest to the players who will, we feel sure, provide plenty of excitement in the coming season’s contests which should be more interesting than the 1928 season.”